Towing A Disabled Boat At Sea: Part 3 | DrakeParagon Sailing
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- A sailing convoy turned into so much more when the engine on our friend's boat overheated. But the tow to a safe harbour was only the beginning. How to get safely into the marina as winds increase and sunset is on the horizon?
If you haven't watched Part 1 & 2 I would recommend checking those out first. Links below!
Part 1: • Towing A Disabled Boat...
Part 2: • Towing A Disabled Boat...
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Hey Drake, Nice job!
Some thoughts:
1. Portable VHF for each one of you
2. Once at anchor try to repair the engine, it may have been an easy fix.
3. When you first called the marina and they said "No towing" hail to any sailboat around with a dinghy or any motor boat, there are usually plenty of other dinghies around to ask for help,
4. Tow the boat into the marina with Paragon. Go slowly and pass by paralell to the dock so she can grab to it, while Mo releases the toe line from YOUR SIDE and then you can take off with no risk of tangling the propeller.
5. When towing, add fenders to the tow line close to the towed boat. When the swell picks up and the towed boat accelerates, the line goes slack until it recovers, pulling hard on the cleat. The fenders will add some resistance to the bended line to become straight again, helping to avoid the bump on the cleat.
6. Let the other boat sail into the marina. Her sail plan is very easy to sail. You can guide her from inside as to where to go.
Thank you for a great episode. It must have been a hassle to film all this on top of the trouble you were going through.
Thank you for the suggestions. 😊
Agree with everything but #4. Don't put your own boat at risk and Paragon is a full keeled boat and a slug to turn in the confines of a marina. I think the rib is a better call. Although I think fixing the motor on anchor is the best idea.
RE 4: I have hip towed other same size boats with my Pearson 323, Hip towing may or not be an option. No idea how well Paragon does under power though but I was able to bring the tow in almost as easily as if I was alone. Shop vac on exhaust works great for 99% dink inflation.
Great episode! Maybe she should have sailed into the marine and you could have helped with the dinghy on docking...
As a member of the USCG I was involved in several rescues at sea, including aiding in the removal of 1,660 Passengers and Crew from the Italian Ocean Liner ANDREA DORIA before she sank in July, 1956. If I found myself in the situation that Drake and Mo found themselves and a Marina Clerk gave me that line of BS, I would have reamed them a new one for refusing help to a distressed vesel and I would have done it on the VHF Radio so that EVERYONE in the port heard it. However, I've been a fan of PARAGON for years and am well aware that Drake is a Really Nice Guy.
Yeah that's a crazy one, you're decision making skills are impressive. Your a good leader and a good captain, I know everyone there felt safer with you there to help. Good job dude, thank you for sharing! Emergency preparedness paid off.
Thank you. 😊⛵️
Well done to you both for getting it done and working through all the issues you were up against in achieving the objective. It all looks easy from an armchair of course - hence some of the comments.
😀👍⛵️
Drake, Mo and Hazel, you all did a great job. And in my opinion: the harbor master should get an other job, because he failed miserably 😢. And what I also want to mention is that I admire that on top of doing all this rescue action , you manage to film it 👏. Thanks for sharing; love your channel.
I really wish I had managed to grab a head cam before we headed out there with the RIB because it was VERY dramatic, but there just wasn’t time. However at one point, as we approached the marina, I realised I could start filming again, so I did. As for the marina, they were very helpful throughout our stay. I don’t know what laws there are in Spain, but all’s well that ends well. -Mo
You're both real ones❤. Times like these suck...but they always make for the best stories in the bar. Great Job guys.
Thanks guys for taking the afraid little princess out of trouble. ;)
A demonstration of the need for a handheld VHF for everyone.
My wife and I use walkie talkies
Great episode Drake and Mo. Thank you. One other option, speaking from experience, is to raise some sail to get in to the marina, then drop the sail and ghost in by skulling the tiller. Also the sail power would help budge the anchor . Still a two man job. However, congratulations on you success and being good samaritans.
Isn’t it amazing how fast we learn new skills when something goes wrong.
You and Mo are wonderful to do all you could. It’s what sailors do for each other. My only thought was to leave her boat anchored overnight, bring her back to Paragon for the night and regroup in the morning with a fresh tank of gas in the dingy and possibly better weather, and a fresh perspective.
I'm glad that all ended well, considering the challenging circumstances of the rescue operation. Cheers.
If anyone could help Hazel in dire need it would be Drake and Mo. You all handled this amazingly. Grade zero to the marina. I didn't see anyone helping when you arrived at the marina. I think Hazel handled this very well. It will be interesting to see what the cause of the overheating was.
Thank you Yellow Deer! Hazel has a bunch of episodes on her channel @SailingAlanouwoly where she’s diagnosing and fixing her engine. This overheat was caused by a piece of a previous impeller that had broken off and caused a blockage somewhere in the cooling system. That broken impeller had been replaced with a new one, and it all worked fine for a long time, but then that piece that had been inside there for all that time finally caugh on something and caused the blockage/overheating.
@@drakeParagon Long cold winter days is when I do as much maintenance as possible...change impeller every winter (at least) is such good insurance.
Buen trabajo, correcto y sin mayores problemas
Hi Drake, really into your journey and getting inspiration for casting off myself. It just shows how things can snowball but you pulled through and learned loads in the best classroom ! 👏
That’s so exciting! Where are you planning to sail once you push off? -Mo
@@drakeParagon hi Mo, I’m in Kilmore Quay, Southern Ireland. Spoilt for choice as far as which direction to go.
@@markbates713Oh nice, you are spoiled for choice. If you ever get the opportunity, I would very much recommend heading north and checking out The Faroe Islands. Incredibly beautiful and such a lovely place. -M
I must check out your videos of the Faroes trip. I just started watching from Killybegs onwards. Thanks for the advice.
@@markbates713 And if you have any suggestions for Ireland we’d love to hear them! Happy sailing! -M
Wow what a story. Glad it all worked out in the end.
Us too! Thank god the towline knots didn’t unravel and that the gas outboard worked.
@@drakeParagon I didn't even catch that one...how long has it been since you used the gas outboard?
We hadn’t used that outboard since 2018 in Svalbard. 😬 and we only had a gallon of fuel in the gas tank, which was also from 2018. Even if we never use it, from now on I’ll always make sure that RIB and outboard are maintained and ready to go.
I'm glad that there was minimal injury here. In doing an RCA/post-mortem/lessons-learned review, I think some really honest questions need to be asked and honest answers given. Single-handing force-multiplies the need for self-reliance on a sailing vessel. In my view, the equipment on Allonawolly (sp?) is fundamentally lacking (no handheld VHF or windlass, minimally, not to mention whether there is an EPIRB, life raft, a running rig manageable from the cockpit, etc.). Much of this can be achieved at very minimal cost, so that should not be a part of the conversation or an excuse. I'd also encourage an examination of whether a PM plan for the engine and systems exists and if it could have prevented the root issue. A self-examination of skills and seamanship to be sailing in an area like the Bay of Biscay (whether near or offshore) also needs to be addressed. I know this might sting a bit, but I learned early in my life that it's better to ask these questions of yourself instead of the accident investigators and coroner asking them on your behalf. I've sailed recreationally most of my life (and made many mistakes) and have watched your content and respect your skill. I'm sure you'd agree - this is no joke and now is exactly the right time to have a very sober review of how to proceed more well-prepared.
Congratulations on successfully making landfall and docking safely. I think experiences like this make better sailors. So you are by definition better for it. One suggestion as say a Monday morning quarterback is to take an entirely different approach. That is to not tow at all. And also don’t fixate on a destination. Sounds crazy and counter intuitive huh? It is, but hear me out. Sometimes we as sailors get so fixated on a particular strategy that we get tunnel vision. We want destination certain. We also tend to want schedule to be known . Here is an alternative strategy, just sail in the open waters for several days. Sail together in near proximity. Forget about destination and schedule. Perhaps she could work on engine with your guidance. Stay offshore and sail. Maybe sleep on it for several days as you sail together. Maybe plan a new destination or just keep sailing until something comes to mind as a better plan than towing which can be fraught with complexity and in some cases peril. As is anchoring in a swell or towing into dock with a rib, etc. After years of sailing, I have learned the hard way that destinations, schedules and plans are not always the best course. Anyway, your heart ❤️ is deep and that is what counts the most.
Such Sage advice...!
Great quick thinking! Cool heads and experience prevailed. Ya'll never disappoint :)
Ah here is the missing part of towing. :D Hello Drake, dont know if you know, Eric's Yacht Fiona has a new Owner. ;-)
Greets from Germany,
Jan
Yes! That’s fantastic news! 😊
I remember a similar situation happened to me years ago. I was out sailing with a 35' sailboat in Seattle with a boat from the Seattle Sailing Club. The owner did not change his impeller and the alarm went off due to overheating. I waited for some wind and sailed right back into the slip at the dock. I had to make two 90 degree turns and carry just enough speed for steering back to the slip and avoid the rock breakwater as well. I put out just enough headsail to get the job done. A bunch of people could not believe that I single handed under sail alone sailed back to the slip like no big deal. You can sail away from a lee shore and other boats unless the winds are gale force, and the current is against you. I was on edge as that was a first for me...Cheers from Seattle!
I have towed a 28 feet boat before for 29 nm with a 30 feet boat using a 18hp engine not easy. We had the benefit of coming up to a pontoon in a river but was still difficult. Think you done everything right but would of maybe went with the petrol outboard first time IMHO. This is being very brutal as a armchair viewer, have only the experience of electric outboards with fellow boaters taking me back from the beach but did notice they were slower and slowed down as we hit big waves.Intrested to hear what was the concessions after the three of you sat down to review the situation, lessons learned are always interesting. Was a great series of videos, would love a debrief to learn what you all thought could be done better.👍⛵🏴
I was really worried that any one of a number of things might have failed with the gas outboard because I hadn’t used it in over 5 years, so I only wanted to try that as a last option. I was so relieved and thankful that it worked.
In retrospect, I think a VHF station in Alanouwoly’s cockpit, or a VHF hand held would have helped. I am now going to learn a better knot to use for if ever have to tie our dock lines together for towing. From now on, even if we never use it, I’m going to regularly inspect and maintain that gas outboard for if we need to.
@@drakeParagon hi drake, I have been asking myself what is it that makes you think a bowline is such a bad knot for joining lines to make a towline? Honest question.
@@markbates713 Hey mark, from what we understand just from input from numerous people, including a Patron that works on tall ships, is there is a chance that the bowline will fail because it’s not meant to be used in that way. With the back and forth motion in the water mixed with the tightening and slacking of the line, there is a chance it could unravel.
There were a couple of suggestions to help make the bowline less likely to fail including adding a double loop or even adding a longer tail with a stopper knot so, if it does start to unravel, hopefully the stopped knot will catch it.
But ultimately, we think that another knot would probably be better in this situation.
Of course, you use what you know in the situation you’re in. In the moment we didn’t have time to learn a new knot, so we just went with the bowline and (luckily) it all ended up working out.
Cheers - Mo
@@momoparagon hi Mo, yes, I suspected the chances of the bowline coming undone without the tail secured would be a reason to use a different knot. We use what we know and a good secure bowline will do the job you needed to do all day long. If you want to split hairs a carrick bend or other master mariners knot could be used and probably should be in offshore heavy vessel long tow situations. Everyday is a school day on the water.
Amazing guys! You did a great job! I hope the swinging anchor on the bow didn't make any damages on her boat
Thanks Mike! There was some damage to the gelcoat, but Hazel had supplies aboard to fix it, and did an excellent job. 😊
@@drakeParagon great
What a story! Well done team. Reminds of the day you lost steering in ?Greenland?
Top 3 of my favorite video sailing channel. Keep doing you. Love your videos
Thanks, will do!
Great stuff.God bless you all..☘☘☘
Pretty scary situation with Murphy’s Law watching over you all. I’m hoping the injury heals with no long lasting damage. I’m sure in your forensic investigation of all that happened, you will have more ideas than we armchair sailors. I’d be interested in the additions you will make in the future to be more prepared for another eventuality. At least you now know what not to do. I hope your sleep was deep and uninterrupted. I think you all did great. 💐🎶
Thank you. A VHF station in Alanouwoly’s cockpit, or a VHF hand held would have helped. I am now going to learn a better knot to use for if ever have to tie our dock lines together for towing. From now on, even if we never use it, I’m going to regularly inspect and maintain that gas outboard.
@@drakeParagon Apparently the Carrick Bend is the bees knees.
interminable boredom punctuated by moments of terror
To me it's quite shocking that the marina failed or refused to assist. Its getting more common for marine staff in many countries to be in useless or contemptuous. What nonsense to say that its illegal to assist in a distress situation.
Well done guys.
Well, thanks to our illustrious legal profession, the liability factor keeps most marinas on the sidelines when it comes rendering assistance. At least in the good ol' US of A!
It should be illegal not to give help by the marina, the world upsidedown!
It's the same story in Seattle...Marina's don't want to be held liable for any damage to boats or injury to people. In Seattle you can get a tow for @ 800 bucks if you don't sign up 6 weeks ahead of time with the towing service.
Omg guys nice work. Made me nervous. That’s how things work sometimes, great to keep level heads.
great video I enjoy . saludos
Thanks, 🙏 Glad you enjoyed it😊
A suggestion for Hazel: On my boat I do not have a windlass. I do have a winch on the cabin top and pull the loose rode up to it to break out the anchor when it is difficult and if there are bad conditions that make it dangerous to pull up the anchor by hand. I have a line with a chain hook on it for when I get to the chain portion of the rode. I hook the chain and pull it in with the line on the winch. I also have another chain hook on a short line cleated off to hook the chain so I can reset the other hook if needed and pull the chain some more until the anchor is up. It is a simple and cheap solution to the problem. After the anchor is up, I can stow it when I have time. Mike
Thanks Mike! 😀Great suggestions. I could send your comment to Hazel if you would like, or would you rather repost it on her latest video on her CZcams channel @SailingAlanouwoly?
@@drakeParagon Go ahead and send it to Hazel. I hope it will help. Mike
Excellent job… I might have tried a hip tie with Paragon since the slips were so wide when the wind was down as you anchored.
Nicely done. Obvious now, but it probably makes sense to have the RIB and engine (Hondas are great) ready to go, as much as practical. Not just to help others, but just in case you need it yourself.
Absolutely. 👍🏼 From now on I’ll make sure to maintain that outboard and RIB so that I’ll always know I can rely on it all working when I need it.
❤I'm exhausted...😮
I was exhausted for days after this.😴
This was almost a disaster for all of you. Single handers without anchor windlasses shouldn't leave the dock. That's harsh but this was a good example.
You are good people! 😊
Thank you! 😃
You guys are saints:)
Heros...
Anchor winch needed.....even a manual one.....🤔😕
Dewalt handheld blower inflates our dink to 85% in 2-3 minutes and uses the same batteries as our dewalt drill.
Thanks for the suggestion. We rarely use the RIB, but I’ll check out those electric inflating pumps.
What a day.. 😬
It looks like a big port. Isn't there some kind of rescue service available? I also have no anchor winch, so I keep 4-to-1 tackle handy to get the anchor out in strong winds.
Wow, I’ve never heard of using a purchase tackle like that to raise an anchor. Interesting! 😀I think in Spain there are commercial towing services, but I’m not familiar with them or their cost.
Do they have something similar to tow boat US? You guys did a great job!
I believe there are, but I think you have to pay for a membership ahead of time to not get charged a lot. I wonder if the Spanish coast guard might have assisted if we had called them, but I suspect that they may only be available for the most serious search and rescue operations.
Very nice! ❤❤❤
Thank you! 😊
You all did a great job, congratulation. I'm happy it finally worked out. I'm in Gijon at the moment. There are two marinas, marina Yates (el musel), the one you went to, and the bigger marina in Gijon old town. The distance between these marinas is about 0.7 nm. The stuff here is very helpful. I'm sure they would have helped you. It is a no go for a marina not to help. Why did you not go to this marina or call them?
Thank you. We were unfamiliar with the other marina, beyond assessing that is may be not as sheltered from bad weather/swell than Marina Yates. We were also very familiar with the layout of Marina Yates already, and so we were able to plan where and how we would be docking, having left from there. The other Marina looks great, right in the city! But I think it may not be too comfortable there if the swell is bad or in very bad weather.
Get a hand operated windlass 😎plus portable VHS - chk engine impeller have spares know how too😊
Yeah the portable VHS to watch videos while you are being towed.?🤣
😇
⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵
What was the problem with her engine?
It turned out there was a tiny piece of the original impeller that just took several months to work it’s way down and become a problem. Hazel had looked at her engine multiple times and had mechanics go over it as well, but the piece was somehow missed. However, it was found in the end and her engine has been working great since! -Mo
Why wasn’t that boat sailed in the port miss that part if you could explain it to me
In the previous video (part 2), we figured out that there wasn’t enough wind to sail to get to the marina before darkness. There was also a big swell pushing Alanouwoly towards a rocky shore.
What am I missing? Isn't that a sailboat, why can't they sail back to the harbour/marina. Isn't that what sailboats do??
In the previous video (part 2), we figured out that there wasn’t enough wind to sail to get to the marina before darkness. There was also a big swell pushing Alanouwoly towards a rocky shore.
@@drakeParagon Thanks for the reply, thats helpful information.
Yes...sailboats have done that for years. Dingy sailing is so important...it teaches you How to handle in close tight sailing.
Wind and sails !! Why the tow ???
TheIn the previous video (part 2), we figured out that there wasn’t enough wind to sail to get to the marina before darkness. There was also a big swell pushing Alanouwoly towards a rocky shore.
Fair enough and well done guys for helping out 👍
😎
Why didn't you use AlanaWolly's dingy?
Alanouwoly has an inflatable with oars and no outboard.